UNINTENDED LOVE - (MaNan)

Chapter-11

Nandini was just staring at him. She didn't know how to respond. She observed that her heartbeat was increasing. She placed her hand on her heart trying to control her heartbeat.

Manik was staring at her and smiled at her condition. He understood that Nandini is new to these things. He could tell that. Looking at her innocence. She is so pure at heart. "Shall we leave?," he asked putting his hand forward. She composed herself and placed her tiny hand into his big hand.

Manik and Nandini were inside the car. Nandini was curious as she didn't know that he owned a car. She can tell that this car is not owned by any company. It is a personal car. "Is this is yours?," she asked finally.

"What? This car? No. Actually this is my friend's car. He gave me his car keys when I reached here. I always have his house and car keys," he said concentrating on the road as he was driving. "If you do have his house keys then why don't you stay there? Why are you staying at my place?," Nandini asked.

"I know we are buddies and I have his house keys but it doesn't mean I'll stay at his place. Well there is no particular reason why I'm not staying with him but it has been like that between us. Whenever he comes to India he doesn't stay with me. I also never stayed with him," he explained.

"If his car keys are with you then what about him? Doesn't he need a car?" she asked. Manik once looked at her and sighed. He again looked straight trying to concentrate on the road.

"Nandini don't you think one person can have 2 cars. Even I also have 2 cars. Whenever he comes to India I give him my car keys. It is normal between us," He replied. "What do you do for living? What is your occupation?," she asked as he mentioned that he owns two cars.

Manik got nervous. It is true that this dinner was meant to talk about themselves. To know and understand each other. But he was not ready to reveal his real identity yet. "Are you gonna ask all the questions in the journey itself? We are on the way to the restaurant right. We can talk there,"Manik said trying to avoid the question.

Somehow Nandini understood that he was not willing to answer her question. But why? It doesn't matter if they talk in the journey or the restaurant. "As you said we are on the way to restaurant so we still have some time to reach there. I think you can answer my question then," she replied.

"Okay fine, I'm an artist. Mostly people don't consider art as a profession. They think life is all about science. So, I usually avoid answering these questions," he said finally without revealing his true identity and didn't tell any lies as he indeed is an artist. The Musician. India's emerging Rockstar.

"I know people in India don't consider Art as a profession. People always consider Medical and Engineering is the only profession to be followed. Or else you are expected to take up the family's business. I'm the biggest example. It is not like I don't want to pursue my education in Computer Science field but more than me my family wants it. So, it's okay. I understand," she said trying to make him feel better.

Manik thanked her for understanding. He really felt good. In his whole life, Nyonika always pressurised him to take up the family business. Family. How ironic that sounds sometimes. For him family means the people who are binded to each other legally. But now he didn't want to think all those things and spoil his mood. He came to New York to relax which he will do. He smiled at her and continued driving.

Rest of the journey was silent. They finally reached their destination. Nandini looked at the place. "Purple Orchid Hotel? Omg, this place is quite expensive. We could go somewhere else," Nandini said looking at her surroundings.

"I heard this place is good. We can have all types of cuisines," he said giving his car keys to the valet. "Obviously you'll find all kinds of cuisines. It is one of top restaurants in New York," she said.

"Really? I didn't know this. Then we have came to the right place," Manik said with little excitement. He always like to explore new places. Especially places related to food. He is a big time foodie.

They talked to the manager and walked towards their table. Manik felt that he saw Cabir at the garden table. "Is that Cabir? What is he doing here? Not even answering my calls?," Manik thought. He took out his phone to call him but it said that his phone was switched off. "Switched off? What is he doing?," Manik thought.

Manik took Nandini to their table and he was about to go but stopped by Nandini. "Anant, where are you going?", she asked. Manik was in a hurry. He just said that he'll be back in a minute and left. Nandini sighed and took the menu card.

Manik rushed to garden table but that table was empty now. No one was there. He looked the surrounding but he couldn't find Cabir. "I'm sure that was Cabir," he said to himself. He about to ask the waiter but he got a call. It was from Cabir.

"Cabir, where are you buddy?" Manik pissed at Cabir. "I'm... I'm at my home. Why?," Cabir said. "Why? You are asking me why? I tried to call you so many times but your phone was switched off," Manik yelled at him. "Oh... Actually my phone battery got drained. Just now I came home and put my phone to charge," Cabir explained.

"Okay, tonight let's catch up," Manik said. "Tonight? I don't think it is possible. Besides you are also at the restaurant right. It will take an hour for you to reach at my place from Purple Orchid," Cabir said. Manik got confused. "How do you know that I'm at Purple Orchid? I didn't mention that you," Manik asked Cabir.